NKyTribune staff
A Lawrenceburg, Indiana man was killed in an overnight accident on Burlington Pike (KY 18) at Aero Parkway in Florence.
Joseph Sohmer, 36, was killed when the 2008 Jaguar S Type he was driving struck semi-tractor trailer broadside at 2:21 a.m., according to the Boone County Sheriff’s office.
A police report indicates Sohmer appears to have disregarded a red traffic signal and proceeded into the intersection.
The driver of the semi, Stanley Prather, 53, of Hamilton, Ohio, was not injured.
The intersection remained closed for more than two hours.
The Boone County Sheriff’s office issued the following release regarding the incident:
On Friday, February 15th, 2019, at 2:21 a.m. a two vehicle traffic collision on Burlington Pike (KY 18) at the intersection of Aero Parkway in Florence, Kentucky claimed the life of one of the drivers.
A 2008 Jaguar S type, operated by Joseph Sohmer, 36, of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, was traveling westbound on Burlington Pike (KY 18) approaching the intersection and traffic signal with Aero Parkway. Initial investigation shows Sohmer appears to have disregarded the red traffic light and proceeded into the intersection. Sohmer then struck a 2007 Volvo semi-tractor trailer, operated by Stanley Prather, 53, of Hamilton, Ohio who was traveling northbound through the intersection from Oakbrook Drive, across Burlington Pike, and onto northbound Aero Parkway.
Sohmer’s vehicle struck the semi-tractor trailer broadside in the right side of the trailer in a ‘T-bone’ manner, and continued underneath the entire trailer where it eventually was expelled through the left side. Sohmer’s vehicle then exited the roadway into a nearby grass embankment where it came to final rest position. Prather’s vehicle immediately stopped after the collision causing it to block all lanes of northbound Aero Parkway. All of westbound Burlington Pike (KY 18) at the intersection was closed during the collision investigation.
Sohmer was not wearing his seat belt, and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Burlington Fire/EMS. Prather was not injured in the collision. Alcohol and speed are suspected factors in the collision. Prather was operating commercially for Triumphant Transportation out of West Chester, Ohio.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Unit is handling the investigation. No charges have been filed at this time. Any witnesses are asked to contact the Boone County Sheriff’s Department at 859-334-2175.
Next of kin have been notified. The roadway and intersection reopened at approximately 4:35 a.m.
